Uganda’s military unveils statue of Netanyahu’s brother who died in 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue

Uganda's military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, unveiled a monument on Saturday at the old Entebbe International Airport terminal honoring Yonatan Netanyahu. Netanyahu, the older brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was killed in 1976 while leading an Israeli commando mission to rescue hostages held at the airport. Kainerugaba commissioned the statue to commemorate Netanyahu's courage and devotion to duty. The 1976 operation successfully rescued 106 hostages, with Netanyahu being the only Israeli commando casualty. The event highlights the enduring cordial ties between Uganda and Israel.

Uganda has unveiled a statue honoring Yonatan Netanyahu, the brother of Israel's Prime Minister, who died leading a 1976 mission to rescue over 100 hostages from a hijacked plane at Entebbe. The Airbus A300, en route from Tel Aviv, was diverted to Uganda by Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hijackers who demanded $5 million and the release of 53 jailed militants. Elite Israeli commandos launched a swift operation on July 3rd, successfully freeing the hostages but resulting in Yonatan Netanyahu's death as the only Israeli soldier lost. Ugandan official Kainerugaba acknowledged the event as a "painful chapter" and the brutality of the Idi Amin regime, while also highlighting the strong Uganda-Israel partnership that has developed since.